Roy Gunnett reports, whilst Greg Smith and Irene Pike provide an array of great photos, many be saved in the Images archive.

Albert Rigby Shield 10k @ Macclesfield 8^th October 2022

A field of 7 walkers took part in the Albert Rigby Trophy 10k race at Macclesfield.

A number of the walkers and officials only just arrived in time for the race – due to very heavy local traffic. The normal 3-lap ‘out and back’ hilly course was used. On this occasion, there were no guest walkers. Just before the race rain clouds threatened – luckily, however, these soon blew away and the walk took place in mild conditions with sunny spells.

The walkers were split into 2 groups – Adrian Edwards and Martin Payne being in the fast group and the remainder in the other. Adrian and Martin were started 3 minutes behind the others. This was Adrian’s first race since his heroic walk at Middlesbrough when he succeeded in becoming a Centurion in late August.

Adrian and Martin walked together for most of the race, with Adrian just pipping Martin at the end to win the scratch race. Both walked extremely well in the aftermath of their epic centurion race only a few weeks earlier.

The race for third place was contested by Steven Wilde and Roy Gunnett in a final dash for the line – this resulted in a draw between them.

Huge thanks must go to Eric Horwill, Glyn Jones, Ian Hilditch, Irene Pike and Chris Pearce for their help in Timekeeping, Marshalling etc. 

As usual, Marshall and Kath Barnard were wonderful hosts. They put on a magnificent spread of food/ tea and they provided and awarded prizes to the first 3 in the handicap.

Martin Payne won the Albert Rigby Shield for being the first Lancashire walker in the handicap and he was presented with the shield by Marshall. Marshall’s wife Kath is the niece of Albert Rigby – whom the Shield is named after.

Scratch Race

1 Adrian Edwards.  63.36

2 Martin Payne       63.37

3 Stephen Wilde.    71.39

3 Roy Gunnett.       71.39

5.Sailash Shah.      73.49

6 Joe Hardy.           78.59

Greg Smith  2 Laps 6.7km 49.36

Handicap Race

1 Martin Payne.       58.37

2 Roy Gunnett.        60.09

3 Stephen Wilde.     60.39

4 Sailash Shah.       61.49

5 Adrian Edwards.   62.16

6 Joe Hardy.            65.39